Trial Update: Sissonville Couple Charged with Child Neglect and Trafficking
On January 17, 2025, the trial of Jeanne Whitefeather and Donald Lantz, a Sissonville couple facing 20 counts of child neglect, child trafficking, and forced labor, continued to unfold in a Kanawha County courtroom. The proceedings took a poignant turn as the eldest child of the couple took the stand, recounting harrowing experiences from her childhood spent in Minnesota, Washington, and West Virginia.
Testimony of the Eldest Child
Now an adult, the eldest child, who was just 16 at the time of the alleged abuses, provided a gripping narrative of her life under the care of Whitefeather and Lantz. Her testimony painted a bleak picture of their living conditions, particularly in Washington and West Virginia, where she described sleeping in sleeping bags on the floor and later in tents on a hill near their home. The lack of basic sanitation was evident, as she recounted using a porta potty and taking baths in totes while living in the tents.
When asked why she and her siblings were relegated to sleeping in tents, she revealed that Whitefeather had deemed them "dirty and stunk." This dehumanizing treatment extended to their diet, which was severely restricted. The children often subsisted on cereal or waffles, and only received snacks in place of meals when they were forced to work in the garden, pulling weeds without any tools.
The eldest child also shared a particularly distressing incident where she ran away for two days after being struck by Lantz for not following orders. This incident highlighted the volatile environment in which they lived, where fear and punishment were commonplace.
Life in West Virginia
Upon their relocation to West Virginia, the situation did not improve. The eldest child testified that they were left to fend for themselves, as Whitefeather became increasingly uncommunicative. Initially, the four older siblings lived in a van until police intervention led to their relocation to a bedroom inside the house. However, even after this move, access to food and drink remained limited, with peanut butter sandwiches being a staple.
The testimony took a darker turn as she recounted the frequent use of pepper spray on the younger children by Whitefeather, an act that left her feeling the aftereffects on her own skin and in her eyes. The children were ultimately confined to a shed for two months, only allowed outside when she had to drag out a camping toilet for dumping.
When police arrived on October 2, 2023, the eldest girl and her brother were initially hesitant to speak, fearing repercussions from Whitefeather. During cross-examination, she firmly stated that their confinement in the shed was never voluntary, underscoring the coercive environment they endured.
Forensic Evidence and Digital Testimony
Prior to the eldest child’s testimony, the court heard from Jacob Hewitt, a digital forensic examiner from the West Virginia Fusion Center. He presented evidence from a confiscated iPhone belonging to Whitefeather, which contained explicit text messages that suggested a pattern of abuse and neglect. The messages, exchanged between Whitefeather and Lantz, included derogatory language and references to locking the children up, revealing a disturbing insight into their mindset.
Another forensic analyst, Alyssa Ledbetter, testified about the financial aspects of the case, detailing payments received by Whitefeather and Lantz from the Minnesota Department of Management and Budget for adoption assistance. These payments, which began in 2018, ceased six months after the children were removed from their custody, raising questions about the couple’s financial motivations.
Community Response and Ongoing Trial
The trial has drawn significant attention, with neighbors testifying about their concerns regarding the children’s well-being. Reports of the children being seen working and living in substandard conditions prompted calls to law enforcement, ultimately leading to the couple’s arrest.
As the trial is set to resume on Tuesday, January 23, 2025, the testimonies of the remaining siblings are anticipated. The case continues to highlight the urgent need for vigilance and intervention in cases of child neglect and abuse, as the courtroom bears witness to the resilience of those who have suffered in silence.
The unfolding events in this trial serve as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities faced by children in abusive environments and the critical role of community awareness and legal action in safeguarding their rights and well-being.